The use of anodic aluminum oxide membranes as a sensing platform for surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy

Yüzey-arttırılmış Raman Spektroskopisi (SERS); geniş kullanım alanına sahip olması ve hassasiyetine rağmen sinyal tekrarlanabilirliği sorunlarından dolayı rutin tespit yöntemi olarak kullanılamamaktadır. Yüzey-arttırılmış Raman sinyallerini tekrarlanabilir ve yüksek şiddette elde edebilmek için litografik ve litografik olmayan bir çok yöntem kullanılarak geniş alanlı periyodik nanodekorasyonlu platformlar üretilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, litografik olmayan bir yöntem olarak yüksek saflıktaki aluminyumun iki-aşamalı anodizasyonu ile elde edilen anodik aluminyum oksit membranlar (AAM) kullanılarak iki farklı strateji ile farklı topogrfilerde yüzeyler elde edilmiştir. Önerilen sistemlerle yüzeylerin üretimi parametrelerle kontrol edilebilir ve kolaydır, litografik yöntemlere göre de ucuzdur. Tezin ilk kısmında AAM'lerin nanotümsek dekorasyonlu bariyer yüzünün SERS yüzeyi olarak kullanımı araştırılmıştır. Yüzey topografisinin SERS sinyal şiddeti üzerine etksini incelemek için, nanotümsek dekorasyonlu yüzeyler (NTDY) asitle aşındırılarak periyodik nanokrater dekorasyonlu yüzeyler (NKDY) elde edilmiştir. Üretilen yüzey karakterizasyonları TEM ve AKM ile yapılmıştır. Fiziksel buharla kaplama yöntemiyle optimum altın kalınlığıyla kaplanan yüzeylerden alınan SERS sinyal yoğunlukları, Metilen Mavisi ve Kongo Kırmızı model boyaları kullanılarak karşılaştırılmıştır ve alınan deneysel sonuçlar Comsol 5.0 Optik Modülü ve Lumerical FDTD Solutions simülasyon programları kullanılarak da desteklenmiştir. Sinyal tekrarlanabilirliği ve tespit edilebilir en düşük metilen mavisi konsantrasyonu da araştırılmıştır. Tezin ikinci kısmında farklı por çapına sahip AAM'ler kalıp olarak kullanılarak periyodik nanosütun dekorasyonlu polikarbonat yüzeyler üretilmiştir. Üretilen iki farklı nanosütun çapına sahip yüzeyler pratik ve ucuz bir yöntem olarak üzerlerine polidopamin kaplama sonrası gümüş nanoparçacıklar çöktürülerek plazmonik etki yaratılmıştır. Üretilen yüzeyler TEM ve AKM ile karakterize edilmiştir. Üretilen farklı yüzeylerden elde edilen Metilen Mavisi sinyalleri karşılaştırılmış ve alınan sinyaller Lumerical FDTD Solutions simülasyon programı kullanılarak desteklenmiştir.Despite the potential sensitivity and the wide range of applications for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), it can not be used as a routine diagnostic tool due mainly to the poor reproducibility of the high intensty SERS signals. In order to obtain reproducibly strong SERS signals, both lithographic and non-lithographic approaches are intensively investigated to produce large-area nanopatterned SERS substrates displaying periodically decorated arrays of nanostructures. Herein, two non-lithographic methods for fabricating periodically decorated plasmonic nanoparticle arrays by using anodic aluminum oxide membranes are presented. These membranes are a class of special biomaterials that are produced from high purity aluminum via two step anodization protocol. The production of these substrates are easy and highly controllable and compared to lithography it is cost-effective. The first part of the study proposes the use of nanobump-decorated barrier sides of the anodic aluminum oxide membranes (AAMs) as SERS substrates. In order to investigate the effect of surface topography on SERS signal intensities, the nanobump-decorated surface (NBDS) is further treated with wet etching to create periodic arrays of nanocraters. SEM and AFM characterizations are performed for the produced platforms. After coating with an optimized thickness of Au through PVD, SERS signal intensities of the nanocrater decorated surfaces (NCDS) and NBDS counterparts are compared by using two different model dyes, Methylene Blue and Congo Red. The experimental data is then confirmed with computer simulations using Comsol 5.0 Optics Module and Lumerical FDTD Solutions. Reproducibility of the signals and the lowest detectable concentration are also investigated. In the second part of the study, the effect of the AAMs pore-size is examined, as they are used as molds to obtain periodically nanopillar-decorated polycarbonate surfaces. Two different pore-sized AAMs are used and silver reduction is performed by coating the surfaces with polydopamine, for the facile creation of plasmonic effect. The obtained surfaces are characterized by SEM and AFM. The intensities of the SERS signals from the obtained surfaces are compared by using Methylene Blue and also is verified with computer simulations using Lumerical FDTD Solutions

Resource Dependence Reduction Strategies for International New Ventures

This study centers around the following research questions: Which partnership strategies do new ventures prefer in their internationalization processes? On which resources do they reduce their dependency through these strategies? With an attempt to answer these questions, face-to-face interviews are conducted with the founding partners of five international new ventures headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey. It was concluded that new ventures reduce their dependencies on critical resources by means of sales partnership agreements and R&D agreements they make in global markets. Through sales partnerships, they reduce their dependencies on human resources, financial resources and network. Through R&D partnerships, they reduce their dependencies on technological knowledge, financial resources and network

Examining the Relationship between Sensation Seeking, Positive and Negative Experiences, Emotional Autonomy and Coping Strategies in Adolescents

The research aims to examine the relationships between sensation seeking and positive and negative experience, emotional autonomy, and coping strategies in adolescents. The study group consisted of 371 adolescents who attended middle and high schools; the ages ranged from 11 to 17. 55.7 % of participants were female (N=137), and 44.3% were male (N=109). Data were collected via Adolescent Coping Scale (KIDCOPE), Emotional Autonomy Scale, Adolescent Positive and Negative Experiences Scale, and Short Sensation Seeking Scale. The relationships between the study variables were analyzed via correlational analysis and regression analysis. The correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant negative correlation among sensation seeking, emotional autonomy, active coping, and positive experience. On the other hand, a statistically significant positive correlation among sensation seeking, avoidant coping, negative coping, and negative experience. The regression analysis results showed that emotional autonomy, avoidant coping, negative coping, and negative experience predict sensation seeking, yet active coping and positive experience variables did not predict

Türkiye’de Ekolojik Tarımın Ekonomik Boyutu ve İklim Değişimine Etkisi

Endüstriyel tarımsal üretimin doğal kaynaklar, iklim değişimi ve insan sağlığı üzerindeki olumsuz etkileri her geçen gün daha fazla hissedilmektedir. Havayı, toprağı ve suyu kirletmeyen, insan sağlığına zararı olmayan ve iklim değişimine olumlu etkileri bulunan tarımsal sistemlerin yaygınlaşmasına ihtiyacımız artmaktadır. Yapılan son araştırmalara göre insan kaynaklı karbon salımının yarısına yakını endüstriyel tarım kaynaklıdır. Sürdürülebilir tarım sistemlerinden biri olan ekolojik tarım, toprak ve su başta olmak üzere doğal kaynakları koruyup geliştirebilecek ve iklim değişimi ile mücadele edebilecek bir sistemdir. Ancak üretim şeklinden, pazarlamasına kadar tüm süreçte sürdürülebilirliğin bileşenleri olan sosyal, ekonomik ve çevresel dengeleri gözetmekten uzaklaşan yapısıyla kaygıları artırmaktadır. İkincil verilerin kullanıldığı bu çalışmada, Türkiye’de ekolojik tarımın mevcut durumu ve ekonomik boyutu ortak ilkeler ve iklim değişimine etkisi kapsamında incelenmiş olup, ilgili mevzuat çerçevesinde gelişme boyutları ile limitleri tartışılmıştır. Sürdürülebilir tarımın tüm boyutlarını karşılaması ve iklim değişimine olumlu etkilerinin sağlanabilmesi için ekolojik tarımın felsefe ve ilkelerine uygun yapılması gerekmektedir

The Subaltern Speaks in Anna Weamys’ A Continuation of Sir Philip Sidney’s Arcadia: A Foucauldian Perspective

This paper examines how the servant Mopsa in Anna Weamys’ A Continuation of Sir Philip Sidney’s Arcadia provides a negative answer to Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s question whether the subaltern can speak. In accordance with Michel Foucault’s thoughts on power and resistance, it intends to reveal that the subaltern, contrary to what Spivak proposes, is able to raise voice and demonstrate resistance. Mopsa has not been given the chance to speak among the royals in Sir Philip Sidney’s The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia, but Weamys deconstructs Sidney’s version and provides Mopsa the opportunity to transcend subalternity as she asserts her action and voice. Within this framework, Anna Weamys’ romance can be read, in the context of Foucault’s theory on power, as a challenge against Spivak’s assumption which contends that the subaltern is not recognizable

The Roles of Unique Product Development and Global Technological Competence in the Effect of International Entrepreneurial Orientation on Company Performance in International Markets: A Study on Born Global Companies

The purpose of this study is to search the mediator roles of unique product development and global technological competence in the effect of international entrepreneurial orientation on company performance in international markets for born global companies. The study was conducted on born global companies which started its international activities in its first 7 years and operate in technoparks in Turkey. Data was collected by a questionnaire from 158 born global companies. According to the method proposed by Baron and Kenny, three models were created and compared with each other. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method was applied because it is more appropriate for complex models. According to the findings of the study, unique product development and global technological competence do not have mediator roles in the effect of international entrepreneurial orientation on company performance in international markets. However, there is a direct effect of international entrepreneurial orientation on company performance in international markets. Global technological competence has a direct effect on performance in international markets. On the other hand, unique product development does not have a direct effect on performance in international markets but unique product development has a direct effect on global technological competence

Terrier köpek normal ve tümörlü meme dokusu EST Kütüphanelerinden SSR’ların belirlenmesi

Dogs share a common environment with humans and knowledge of the specific dog breed diseases is very useful in developing a model for human cancer studies. ESTs represent part of the transcribed genome of an organism and are an important resource for identifying microsatellites. Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs), or microsatellites, which contain repetitive DNA sequences, are among the most powerful genetic markers known. The development of EST-SSRs has become a fast, efficient, and low-cost option for genomic studies. In this study, to determine SSRs from EST libraryof mammary gland tissue of the Terrier dog that has 2304 ESTs; SSRIT and IMEx software, which have web-based versions and are easily accessible, were used. SSRIT finds motifs from 2 to 10 base lengths and adjusts the minimum number of repeats by eliminating single nucleotide motifs. IMEx finds perfect and imperfect microsatellites separately. It can find motifs of different lengths from 1 to 6 and the minimum number of repeats can be set. In addition, the appropriate primer for the desired SSR region can be designed. The 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 nucleotide motifs were found for normal tissue ESTs whereas 5 nucleotide motifs were not found for tumoral tissue ESTsKöpekler, insanlarla ortak bir çevreyi paylaşır ve belirli köpek ırklarının hastalıkları hakkında bilgi, insan kanser çalışmaları için bir model geliştirmede çok yararlıdır. EST'ler, bir organizmanın transkribe edilen genomunun bir parçasını temsil eder ve mikrosatellitleri tanımlamak için önemli bir kaynaktır. Tekrarlayan DNA dizilerini içeren Basit Dizi Tekrarları (SSR'ler) veya mikrosatellitler, bilinen en güçlü genetik belirteçler arasındadır. EST-SSR'lerin gelişimi, genomik çalışmalar için hızlı, verimli ve düşük maliyetli bir seçenek haline gelmiştir. Bu çalışmada, 2304 EST içeren Terrier köpeğin meme bezi dokusunun EST koleksiyonundan SSR'lerin belirlenmesi için; Web tabanlı sürümleri olan ve kolayca erişilebilen SSRIT ve IMEx yazılımları kullanılmıştır. SSRIT, 2 ila 10 baz uzunluğundaki motifleri bulur ve tekli nükleotid motiflerini ortadan kaldırarak minimum tekrar sayısını ayarlar. IMEx mükemmel ve kusurlu mikrosatellitleri ayrı ayrı bulur. Farklı uzunluklarda 1 ile 6 arasındaki motifleri bulabilir ve minimum tekrar sayısı ayarlanabilir. Ek olarak, istenen SSR bölgesi için uygun primer tasarlanabilir. Normal doku EST'leri için 2, 3, 4, 5 ve 6 nükleotidli motifler bulunurken, tümörlü doku EST'leri için 5 nükleotidli motif bulunamamıştır

Which of us were more affected by the pandemic? The psychiatric impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals in the province where the first quarantine units were established in Turkey

Introduction Psychiatric problems, such as stress and anxiety disorders, are encountered amongst healthcare professionals fighting epidemics. Considering that COVID-19 suddenly became a pandemic and healthcare professionals have not had access to sufficient information, it is a fact that healthcare professionals have been affected on a large scale. Heavy workloads, insufficient equipment and anxiety over families increase this impact. We aimed to investigate the extent to which healthcare professionals have been psychologically affected by COVID-19 and related factors. Methodology Data obtained through questionnaires completed by 348 healthcare professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic and 350 participants who are in the control group were investigated. The Impact of Event Scale-revised (IES-R) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the Severity Index (ISI) for insomnia were used. Differences regarding gender, occupation, age group, marital status and sub-groups were statistically analysed. Results Of the 348 healthcare professionals, 176 (50.6%) were women and 172 (49.4%) men, while 190 (54.6%) were doctors and 158 (45.4%) nurses. The incidence of PTSD was statistically significantly higher in the healthcare professionals group than in the control group (P < .001). The incidence of PTSD was statistically significantly higher amongst nurses (P = .001), women (P = .002) and those who were married (P = .007). Both PTSD and insomnia were found to be statistically significantly higher amongst those working in the "area of final diagnosis" (P = .016 and P = .002, respectively). Conclusions The determination of the groups most affected amongst professionals working in epidemics is important for the planning of in-service training and psychological support studies. If the fight against pandemics includes health teams with strong psychological grounding, it leads to qualified medical care for patients

Retrospective analysis of Turkish AML registry database, on behalf of AML working group of Turkish society of hematology

Abstract Introduction: To investigate the demographics and treatment details of the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who were diagnosed and followed up in Turkey. Methods: Patients who were recorded on the database of Turkish AML Registry project were included in this study retro- spectively if they were diagnosed before 1st of Jan 2022. Demographics, patient, and disease related parameters both at the time of diagnosis and at the follow up and treatment outcomes were presented

Impact of clinical pharmacist-led intervention for drug-related problems in neonatal intensive care unit a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Drug-related problems (DRPs) incidence is higher in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), compared to other pediatric wards due to aspects like off-label medications, pharmacokinetic/dynamic variability, or organ dysfunction/immaturity. This study aimed to determine whether and to what extent a clinical pharmacist intervention improves medication safety and prevents DRPs [medication errors (MEs), adverse drug reactions (ADRs), drug-drug interactions (DDIs)]. Methods: A prospective, randomized, double blind, controlled study in NICU-admitted neonates was conducted. NICU patients were randomly assigned to the intervention (clinical pharmacist-led) (IG) or control group (standard care such as clinical diagnosis, pharmacotherapy) (CG). The clinical pharmacist was involved in the IG to identify-prevent-intervene MEs, or identify and monitor ADRs and DDIs. The primary outcome was the number of neonates who developed at least one DRP compared with those seen across IG and CG. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, total number of drugs or DRP type. Results: Neonates were randomly assigned to CG (n = 52) or IG (n = 48). In total, 45%, 42%, and 16% of patients had at least 1 MEs, ADRs, and clinically significant DDIs, respectively. The number of patients with at least 1 ME was 28 (53%) and 17 (35%) in the CG and IG (p&gt;0.05). The median (range) number of ME was higher in CG [1 (0–7)] than in IG [0 (0–4)] (p = 0.003). Applying regression analysis, the CG had 2.849 times more MEs than the IG (p&lt;0.001). Furthermore, the number of patients (CG to IG) with at least one detected ADR or clinical DDI was 19 (36%) to 23 (47%) (p&gt;0.05) and 4 (7%) to 12 (25%), respectively (p = 0.028). Conclusion: Clinical pharmacist availability to systematically and standardized identify, prevent and resolve DRPs among NICU patients is effective. Daily detailed clinical pharmacist observations and interventions enables prevention and monitoring of DRPs. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04899960.</p